[39] To justify the use in ordinary printing of these symbols (as against the use of 4o, 8o, 12o, a prevailing French fashion which is preferred by some writers), it may suffice to say that the ablative cases of the ordinal numbers quartus, octavus, duodecimus, namely quarto, octavo, duodecimo, are according to popular usage represented by the forms or symbols 4to, 8vo, 12mo; just as by the same usage we print 1st and 2nd as forms or symbols of the English words first and second.—H. H.
[40] See [page 49] for an exception to this rule.
[41] The selection is arbitrary; but the examples are given on the authority of the Oxford University and Cambridge University Calendars, the Post Office Guide, Bartholomew’s Gazetteer, Bradshaw’s Railway Guide, Crockford’s Clerical Directory, Keith Johnston’s Gazetteer, and Stubbs’s Hotel Guide.
POETRY
Words ending in -ed are to be spelt so in all cases; and with a grave accent when the syllable is separately pronounced, thus—èd. (’d is not to be used.)
This applies to poetical quotations introduced into prose matter, and to new works. It must not apply to reprints of standard authors, nor to quotations in works which reproduce old spellings, &c.
Whenever a poetic quotation, whether in the same type as the text or not, is given a line (or more) to itself, it is not to be placed within quotation marks; but when the line of poetry runs on with the prose then quotation marks are to be used.
On spacing poetry, see [p. 49].